RENOVATE: Week 11

Posted by Rob Taylor

Dec12

“Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you will not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:15-18, NASB)

It has been said that there is nothing more certain on earth than death and taxes. Of course, the flip side of this sentiment is that almost all of life is uncertain. Consequently, humans are forever trying to make a “best guess” when it comes to decision making. Trends are studied, risks are ostensibly counted, and costs of potential choices are weighed; all aimed at reaching the most informed and preferential outcome. The reason for such ambiguity is connected to the inability to know the future.

How is life possible under such conditions? Have questions like the following ever vexed you? Who should I marry? What career path should I take? How should I discipline my children? Should I trust my doctor’s opinion? How do I care for my aging loved one? What home should I purchase? Should I tell the truth? Is this the right time to retire? Is there anything more to life than this? Were things supposed to be this way? Should I cheat on this test? Do my parents really know what they are talking about? Does anyone really care? Is God really there? Does God really hear?

Endless questions; all rooted in uncertainty; all based on limited knowledge, especially about a seemingly unknowable future. However, there is another approach to life. This standard is entirely different and buries its roots in the enduring soil of the sovereignty of God. Stated more simply, faith placed in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Daniel exemplifies this kind of certainty in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the December 7th reading from the devotional Bible. When threatened with eminent destruction in a situation completely out of their control (which actually is an illusion anyway; control does not reside in humanauthority) the three young men demonstrate incredible fortitude. How; because they see themselves as great? No. They see their God as great. Do they act as if they deserve a privileged result from their trial? No. They rest in whatever choice their God will embrace, not one of their own personal affection.

The end result of their ordeal, after they are thrown into the furnace, is a stroll with a fourth individual who “is like a son of the gods!” (Daniel 3:25, NASB) They actually get to walk with Jesus!

The even more important aspect of the story is not that they were delivered from the fire; but through the journey of the trial, they spent personal time with their Creator. Struggles have an amazing ability to reveal our true helplessness and frailty while bringing to light the ultimate seat of control and power from the Hand of God. In this is rest and assurance. Where does such insight begin? One must embark on this journey at the base of the cross of Jesus, in His death and ultimate resurrection. Only here is human frailty and subjugation certified. Only here is a personal relationship with an infinite God afforded. The trek commences here!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego spent personal time with their Creator… They knew who was God, they knew that God would delivery then from Evil.

God loves us so much and understands what we are going through. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego knew how to remove the barriers to intimacy in a relationship with God.

God tests our faith when we make decisions related to family, jobs, careers and marriages and so on… When people do not know God, whatever they do is meaningless.

King Nebuchadnezzar was nothing but an idol worshiper. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were ready to obey God’s command not to worship idols because God was living in their hearts.
It’s God living in your heart today?

They loved God’s word more than their own life. They loved God with all their hearts. There is no doubt in their testimonies whether God would save or not. Their faith in God’s love reminds us of Romans 8:38,39, It’s one of our favorite Bible Verses:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

” King Nebuchadnezzar saw that they did not die but were DANCING, in the fire…( That’s what God does when things seems impossible for us my friend!) so the king leaped to his feet in amazement.

When he carefully saw them, four men, not three men, were walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth man looked like a son of the gods .GOD CAME DOWN AND WAS WITH THEM IN THE FLAMING FIRE! Justa a reminder: And He will be with you in all circuntances of your life, If you believe in His Word! Are you ready to stands for TRUE in 2014?

Jesus said in Luke 21:17-19, “All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.”

God was able to deliver them from the blazing furnace.

Are you ready to take a stand in 2014, for God no matter what?
My Friend, We live in a dark world. ARE YOU READY TO STANDY FOR THE TRUE in 2014 ? Be sincere and answer the question. May God help us all!

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
John 16:23

[Jesus said], “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah Psalm 32:7

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you—the LORD is yourshade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.Psalm 121:1-8

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY 2014!

MAY GOD HELP US TO STANDS FOR THE TRUE IN 2014,and many years to come, NO MATTER WHAT !

They trusted God because they knew Him personally and intimately. They had faith in His answer whether it was a “good” answer or if they died. The most important thing to me in our Bible readings is building that strong relationship with God, so that we trust His heart no matter what we’re going through. If we think God only loves us when the answer is what we want…then we’re walking on thin ice. Often God’s ways, His answer is not what I would like it to be, but what He chooses for me to experience. I trust Him because I love Him and I know He loves me.

Comment by Adriana Piazzese on December 28, 2013 at 11:33 pm

In times of doubt and uncertainty, God does not abandon us, I love thinking about it, and feel the presence of the holy spirit in these moments.